byob and liability issues

You can buy your own alcohol, but you should hire a bartender.

Get wedding insurance! It should cover liquor liability.

It would be smart to hire bartending service, since they are trailer to properly pour drinks and cut off anyone that has had too much. Also, does your venue require security if alcohol is present?

ETA: We have to bring in our own alcohol, but bar service is part of the venue package.

Yes, the venue requires us to pay their security officer from the time alcohol starts being served until the end of the event. We aren't wanting to do anything overboard, probably just bottled beer and drinks as pictured, and then 1 or 2 signature drinks. We were trying to avoid hiring a bartender if at all possible because all the ones we have found have a minimum of hours and are a little higher than what we would like to spend. If we have to, we will, but we liked the idea of having the setup above.

ETA: we were wanting to do premade mixed drinks to prevent liquor just being left out. If all else fails, we would just provide beer and wine as shown above. We have a large amount of people that won't be drinking, so its not that big of a deal.

I think the laws vary by state, so you may want to look into it in your state specifically. Double check with your venue as well. We have to bring our own alcohol, but the venue includes a bartender in the package.

ETA: we're also required to purchase liability insurance with our venue.

You need to have a licensed bartender - self serve is a huge liability, and can be very inconvenient for your guests.

It is way cheaper than having a lawsuit on your hands.

In addition, purchase event liability insurance.

I was assuming law wise, we would be fine, as the venue has stated multiple times we are not required to have a bartender and we can bring in whatever we want alcohol wise.

If your venue allows BYOB then there is nothing illegal about it. The city would of shut them down if it was not allowed. If you try to have a cash bar then you do have to get a permit for that in most states. My venue is BYOB but we did hire a bartender to serve to make it easier for guest.

Our venue is byob, but they have a bartender. Look into hiring a bartender for the event.

Definitely hire a bartender, whether it is the law or not. You need someone licensed and in control who can cut people off if need be. Will there be any underage guests?

It doesn't matter if the venue allows it or not. If someone leaves there and gets into an accident, you are held liable.

Who cleans up all the cups people leave there? Who uncorked all the wine bottles? Who opens beer bottles? Who keeps the line moving when people stand near the bar talking? Who cuts people off when they've had too much?

Licensed bartenders. That's who.

There will be children there with their parents (that choose to bring them) but other than that, everyone is of age.

ETA: we will be hiring an event clean up crew to clean up all the trash and cups. As far as beer goes, everyone I know that will be at the wedding and drinking is perfectly capable (and okay with) grabbing a beer and opening it. As far as wine, I considered just doing a premade sangria that would be in a beverage dispenser.

Also, we planned on getting liability insurance as well for the wedding.

Anyone underage there will be younger children that will be under the watch of their parents. We dont have any in between ages attending.

Providing your own alcohol is fine. But I would hire a licensed bartender to serve it. Are you inviting anyone under 21 to the wedding? If you are and you just pit out the alcohol, you will be responsible if anyone under 21 drinks it. And you will be responsible for anything that happens as a result (damage, car accident, etc.). A licensed bartender will help prevent that. They will also be able to cut off guests who have had too many drinks.

In addition to a bartender, I would look I to event liability insurance.

Hire a bartender. If someone leaves and gets into an accident, my understanding is that you and the venue can be sued. A bartender takes on that liability. I know it's extra mo ey, but it's well spent, in my opinion.

I'm in San Antonio and do a BYOB also, but Texas law says it has to be served by a licensed TABC bartender. Your venue should have told you this other wise it's illegal!

Will the clean up crew be there throughout the event? That's really when you need them, because normal bartenders/waitstaff clean up after people all night.

You need plain wine in addition to sangria. It's too sweet for many people to have with dinner.

You're missing a huge point here - liability. It does not matter what the state says about BYOB or what the venue says about security. YOU are responsible if anyone gets hurt or killed during and after your event. A licensed bartender takes away that liability in more ways than one.

Hire a bartender (this will cut down on waste too) and get one day liability insurance. The expense is nothing compared to the loss of life and/or limb that could happen.

Thank you. I assumed that since the venue suggested this setup they have had successful weddings and events done this way before, which they had. We will look into hiring a bartender and assess the situation.

Get an insurance policy with a one day liquor license! This way if anything happens you are covered.

Bartender is worth every single penny in BYOB cases. Don't pass up on it, you're smarter than this!